Denis Shapovalov delivered a gutsy semi-final performance at the Dallas Open on Saturday, continuing his resurgent run by ousting defending champion Tommy Paul 7-5, 6-3.
The Canadian lifted his aggression in key moments, often hammering second serves and unleashing his forehand firepower. Shapovalov serve and volleyed on his second match point to clinch the one-hour, 33-minute victory, during which he saved all three break points he faced, according to Infosys ATP Stats.
“It’s definitely been a big weapon for me. I was serving really well in Belgrade [in November]. I lost my rhythm a little bit after I had a stomach virus in Hong Kong. I’m really happy I was able to get it back and I’ve been serving and playing exceptionally well this week,” said the 25-year-old, who levelled his Lexus ATP Head2Head series with Paul at 2-2. “It’s helped me get out of a lot of trouble this week.”
Dazzling in Dallas 🤠💫
— ATP Tour (@atptour) February 9, 2025
Denis Shapovalov is into the final 🙌@dalopentennis | #DALOpen pic.twitter.com/sim6XVvfnK
A two-time tour-level titlist, Shapovalov will aim for his first trophy above ATP 250 level on Sunday against second seed Casper Ruud. In November, the lefty won the ATP 250 in Belgrade.
Shapovalov, up 16 places to No. 38 in the PIF ATP Live Rankings, will aim for his third Top 10 win this week against Ruud. The Norwegian leads their Lexus ATP Head2Head series 2-0 with wins in Geneva (2021) and Rome (2022). Should Shapovalov win the title, he is projected to climb to No. 32 in the PIF ATP Live Rankings — his highest mark since September 2023.
Earlier, Ruud escaped Spainard Jaume Munar, who served for the match at 5-4 in a hard-fought deciding set. Yet the Norwegian took advantage of any looks at a second serve and fearlessly struck the ball, rallying to a 6-2, 2-6, 7-6(4) victory.
"Second and third set, [Jaume] really stepped it up. I was kind of control in the first set, started off really well," said Ruud, who is into his first tour-level final since Geneva last year. "He kind of fired up, I played a little bit of a poor game. I went for a little too much, the right play but just made unforced errors.
"Some really close games in the third. Typical kind of break-break back to back from 4-4 and him serving for it at 5-4. I know what the feeling is like, you can get tight. You kind of see the finish line a few yards in front of you and then you kind of stumble. I've done it myself and I was fortunate to be on the right side of it today."
Munar, who upset home favourite Ben Shelton in the second round, is up to No. 53 in the PIF ATP Live Rankings, one spot shy of tying his career high. The Mallorcan was competing in his second tour-level semi-final this season (Hong Kong).
